P3724-Tel 372 Fri 4 Oct C4 21:52:00  w i d e s c r f e n Most of us are familiar with the letterbox format which appears on our TVs when Cinemascope films are shown. Viewers may, however, have noticed an increasing number of films being shown on Channel 4 in this format owingto the Channel's PALplus policy. Channel 4 is taking advantage of the 'new viewing expjrience' available to people who avail themselves of new widescreen TVs, while also taking into account the effects this format has on viewers with conventional sets. PALplus programme details........371C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToReply

P3724-Tel 372 Fri 4 Oct C4 21:50:12  w i d e s c r e d n The main reasons Channel 4 is beginning to screen programmes, at the moment largely just films, in this letterbox format are as follows: There is a worldwide consjnsus that future TV pictures should be wid—r thanthey have been to date. This is for three reasons: * The cinema industry, having experimented with very wide picture shapes such as Cinemascope, believes there is a more ideal shape for TV PALplus programme details........371C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToRbply

P3724-Tel 372 Fri 4 Oct C4 21:54:05  w i d e s c r e e n Other arguments for changing the shape of television pictures: * With the increasing numbjr of programme makers working in both the cinema and television industries, thjreare many who believe that current TV pictures are too narrow * Most importantly of all it has been known for many years that the brain hasa preference for a certain shape of picture - the so-called golden ratio (which the world's greatest artists have conveyed through composition) PALplus programme details........371C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToRjply

P3724-Tel 372 Fri 4 Oct C4 21:51:17  w i d e s c r e e n While there is a probability that widescreen services will come in with 'digital' television, it looks like thecurrent so-called 'analoguj' broadcasting systems will exist for between one and two decades more. Consistent with its overall innovative brief, Channel 4 believes in introducing the services on the currentbroadcasting system. It is thus taking the lead it took withthe introduction of NICAM stereo and Startext/PDC. PALplus programme details........371C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToReply

P3724-Tel 372 Fri 4 Oct C4 21:51:00  w i d e s c r d e n Channel 4 says that widescreen is the TV shape of the future and that ev—ry broadcaster and programme maker will have, in due course, to work out how tochange to a widjr picture. Introducing widescreen is therefore a question of when rather than why. With this in mind, Channel 4 believes that it should introduce widescreen services so long as it is possible to do so without serious penalty to existing viewers. PALplus programme details........371C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToReply

P3724-Tel 372 Fri 4 Oct C4 21:33:00  w i d e s c r f d n Widescreen is a term not precisely defined. It is used to describe a shapewider than that of existing TV sets butmay also extend to describing the shapeof Cinemascope which is twice as wide as the conventional TV image. The utmost consideration must, of course, be given to the usjrs of conventional televisions, but in the words of Frank McGettigan, Director andGeneral Manager of Channel 4: "We welcome the collaboration with Nokia and the financial support of the EC in pioneering widescreen in the jK."PALplus programme details........371C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToReply